Letter: The Bible commands us to love all other people

Southern Baptists and some others may be getting a bad rap from news reports about the Boy Scouts accepting gay members. (Methodists say they will take any Boy Scout troops the Baptists may dismiss, but some Baptist leaders recommend keeping the Boy Scouts anyway.)

The difference between fundamentalist Christian groups and other Christians is largely about a literal interpretation of the Bible. It is important to realize that there are varying degrees of literalism as well.

Strict literalists would never be able to deviate from their deeply held theological positions about homosexuality. (Homosexual acts are sinful, and the Bible says to hate the sin and love the sinner.)

This does not mean that literalists are bad people who hate those who are different from themselves. It simply means that they interpret the Bible like first century Christians interpreted Christianity. They have not subscribed to more modern interpretations which may be consistent with contemporary scientific theories - especially those theories which deal specifically with human beings.

Some of our most influential citizens are fundamentalists, as are many other people in the United States. They have a right to practice their theological beliefs as long as their actions do not impair the rights of other citizens.

However, it would be wrong for any group to cause emotional, political, financial or physical harm because of their beliefs.

If there is one overriding theme of the Bible, it is love - love for God and love for other people.

Lamar McCarrell

Greenville

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Letter: The Bible commands us to love all other people

Southern Baptists and some others may be getting a bad rap from news reports about the Boy Scouts accepting gay members.